vincent p. norris wrote:

My son-in-law, who was in the Navy about 30 years ago, mentioned at
dinner today that the guy who graduated #1in his platoon at Marine
boot camp was given a set of blues, free.

I think that's an urban legend. It certainly wasn't the case when I
went through Parris Island in 1946.

Was it done at San Diego?

Anyone know?

2005 - 1946 = 59 years.= almost 2 x 30. When did you
retire?!?!?!?!?

As of 1961 [2005 - 1961 = 44 years - OMG I'm getting old] when I
went through PI, honor man in a platoon got blues. Up to 10%
could be promoted PFC. honor man was /usually/ the guy who had
also been recruit platoon guide for the last phase since he had
the job /because/ he was the most squared away boot; he and the
similarly situated squad leaders and a couple/three other
hotshots usually got the stripes.

Cash sales/tailor shop managed to measure/fit the blues/sew the
stripes on between the Final Field Inspection and graduation -
wouldn't do to have an honor man blues/meritorious stripes going
to someone who managed to flunk the FFI. ;-

Dunno when it all started, but it had been going on for a while
before 1961 at both depots.

Moot point now. Since some time in the mid/late-80s, blues have
been part of the seabag issue.
--
OJ III
[Email to Yahoo address may be burned before reading.
Lower and crunch the sig and you'll net me at comcast.]